Six Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay residents have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), two of which are Margaret Haggart and Fairlie Elizabeth Maclaine.
Margaret Haggart has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to the performing arts, and to the community.
Ms Haggart, 82, was born and raised in North Footscray, she started singing lessons when she was 14 years old and has since had one of the most successful opera careers in Australian history.
Her career spans over 90 operatic, operetta and cabaret roles, performed globally in the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the United States, South America, Singapore, New Zealand and of course Australia.
Ms Haggart’s career highlight was performing a tribute show called the Silent Anzac with the Footscray Yarraville Band
They toured around the world, sparking highly emotional responses from everyone who witnessed it.
“That tour was the most amazing experience to see people who don’t speak the language that you are performing in crying the way they did,” she said.
She is also most proud about being one of four original 10 members still working on the Melbourne Opera, which she co-founded.
These days she is not so much in the performing space but has focused on her much loved community.
“I have always believed if you want to have community , you have to be part of it,” she said.
Despite her impressive career she was still shocked to have been awarded this honour.
“I was taken aback when I heard, it’s an incredible honour I feel very lucky to have.”
Fairlie Elizabeth Maclaine is a Williamstown resident who has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for her service to the community through a range of organisations.
Ms Maclaine has been a committee member of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps Association (Victoria) since 1997.
She has been a foundation member and organiser in the social group for over 30 years, has been the association luncheon co-ordinator since 2015 and has been vice president since 2015.
Ms Maclaine joined the Australian Defence Force in 1967 where she became a member of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps until 1971.
In 1975 she became a member of the Australian Army Reserve until recently finishing there in 2019.
She has been a member of the Brighton Antique Club for 30 years and has had a variety of roles there including president, vice president, door monitor and membership secretary.
Ms Maclaine has been a member of the Schnauzer Club of Victoria for over 15 years, and has been secretary since 2014.
She is also the current treasurer and dog fosterer as well as a current participant in dog shows.
In addition to all her work in these clubs she has been a key member of the community.
She is a current member of the Altona Sub-Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia and a current volunteer with Meals on Wheels.
